Indulge in a savory, seafood-inspired pizza featuring fresh ingredients, homemade dough, and a creamy Mornay sauce. This seafood pizza recipe combines exquisite flavors, making it perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients for Seafood Pizza
Pizza Dough
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (between 105–110ºF / 40–43ºC)
- 1/2 tbsp honey
- 2 1/2 cups bread flour, plus extra if needed (315 g)
- 1 tbsp dried rosemary (or to taste)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground Himalayan sea salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for coating
- Butter, as needed, for greasing the pizza pan
- 1/2 tsp yellow cornmeal (or as needed) for dusting the pan
- 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour for the work surface and rolling pin
Mornay Sauce (Customized for This Recipe)
- 4 tbsp butter (57 g)
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour (32 g)
- 3 cups warm milk (720 mL)
- 3/4 cup Gruyère cheese, grated (75 g)
- 3/4 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated (75 g)
- 1/8 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 pinch white pepper
- 1 pinch ground Himalayan sea salt
- 1 tsp cooking sherry
- 1 tsp dried basil
Seafood Mixture
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp clarified butter
- 1/2 cup red onions, finely chopped (75 g)
- 1/2 cup red peppers, finely chopped (75 g)
- 3 large cloves of garlic, pressed
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated (200 g)
- 1 cup crab meat (about 235 g)
- 12–13 large prawns, deveined, rinsed, and halved (about 300 g)
- 12 large scallops, halved (about 250 g)
- 1/2 cup Grana Padano cheese, grated (50 g)
- Hot paprika, for sprinkling
Instructions for Making Seafood Pizza
Step 1: Prepare the Pizza Dough
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm water, yeast, and honey. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes until foamy.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the bread flour, dried rosemary, garlic powder, and Himalayan sea salt.
- Add the olive oil and 2 cups of flour (250 g) to the yeast mixture. Using the dough hook attachment, process on speed 2 for 2 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl and increase the speed to 3, allowing the dough to form a ball. If necessary, add more flour until the dough clings to the hook and cleans the sides of the bowl. Increase the speed to 4 and knead for 4 minutes, until smooth.
Step 2: Let the Dough Rise
- Remove the dough from the bowl and form a ball by tucking the edges underneath. Place it in a lightly oiled bowl, coating the surface. Cover with a tea towel and allow it to rise for 1 to 1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
- After the first rise, punch the dough down and reform it into a ball. Cover it again and let it rise for another hour. Prepare the pizza pan by greasing it with butter and sprinkling it with cornmeal. Set aside.
Step 3: Roll Out the Dough
- On a lightly floured work surface, sprinkle the dough and rolling pin with flour.
- Roll the dough to a 16-inch (40 cm) diameter to fit a 14-inch (35 cm) pizza pan.
- Set aside while you prepare the Mornay sauce.
Step 4: Make the Mornay Sauce
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the flour and whisk to create a blond roux, cooking for about 5 minutes.
- Gradually add the warm milk, whisking continuously. Stir in the Gruyère cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese, nutmeg, white pepper, Himalayan sea salt, cooking sherry, and dried basil. Continue to whisk and cook for 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. If not using immediately, cover with wax paper to prevent a skin from forming.
Step 5: Prepare the Vegetables
- Heat olive oil and clarified butter in a small skillet over medium heat.
- Add the red onions and red peppers, sautéing for about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and sauté for 1 more minute. Remove from heat.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
Step 6: Assemble the Pizza
- Transfer the rolled-out dough onto the prepared pizza pan. Evenly distribute the grated mozzarella cheese over the surface.
- Arrange the crab meat, halved prawns, and scallops on top of the cheese. Sprinkle the sautéed vegetable mixture over the seafood. Ladle the Mornay sauce over the toppings, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle the Grana Padano cheese over the top, followed by a light dusting of hot paprika.
Step 7: Bake and Serve
- Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 22 minutes, or until the seafood is fully cooked and the crust is golden.
- Let the pizza cool for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Bon appetite!
